Off-Broadway Review: “The Other Josh Cohen”

David Roberts

  • Chief New York Critic

  • Outer Critics Circle / Drama Desk Member

“The Other Josh Cohen,” currently running at the Westside Theatre/Downstairs, has been bemoaning the hapless and lackluster life of Josh Cohen (Steve Rosen) through his Doppelganger narrator Josh (David Rossmer) since October 2012. That’s a long time to celebrate having one’s apartment robbed of everything, rehearsing one’s dysfunctional family, recounting a string of failed romantic relationships, and resolving the mystery of a letter and check for a substantial sum of money – yet, audiences continue to cheer Josh on, apparently identifying with this fictional character’s “hard luck life” and his ability to overcome misfortune and re-create himself and his future.

Josh Cohen’s year long (Valentine’s Day to Valentine’s Day) struggle with the vicissitudes of life is chronicled in eleven musical numbers by an energetic and talented cast that not only sing but play a variety of instruments with consummate skill. The musical has an interesting book and relatable lyrics; however, the music seems very much the same except for a couple of numbers which thankfully vary in tempo and style. Director Hunter Foster moves the action along at breakneck speed despite some scenes seeming overlong and overwrought. There are only so many times one can reimagine scenes with a Neil Diamond CD (other than a daily cat calendar, one of the few things left by the robber) and an empty porn CD case.

The convention of the two Josh Cohens works well and the repartee between the two and emergence of one from the other also sustains interest. The musical’s themes of the need to “Hang On” and to embrace change are important and always timely. It just takes a bit too long to get to that resolution after an oft-repeated exposition about Josh’s life.

That said, “The Other Josh Cohen” continues to entertain and celebrate hope in uncertain and challenging times.

 

THE OTHER JOSH COHEN

Joining Steve Rosen and David Rossmer in the cast are Kate Wetherhead, Hannah Elless, Elizabeth Nestlerode, Luke Darnell, Louis Tucci, and Zach Spound.

The design team for “The Other Josh Cohen” includes Scenic Designer Carolyn Mraz (Beardo, Lighting Designer Jeff Croiter, Sound Designer Bart Fasbender, and Costume Designer Nicole V. Moody.

“The Other Josh Cohen” runs at the Westside Theatre/Downstairs (407 West 43rd Street) through Sunday February 24, 2019. For further information about “The Other Josh Cohen” and to purchase tickets, visit http://otherjoshcohen.com/#home. Running time is 1 hour and 30 minutes without intermission.

Photo: Louis Tucci, Kate Wetherhead, Luke Darnell, and Hannah Elless in “The Other Josh Cohen.” Credit: Caitlin McNaney.

Off Broadway, New YorkChristopher PetersonDavid Roberts